The Statute of Winchester, 1285

• Purpose was ‘to abate the power of felons’;

• duty of everyone to maintain the King’s Peace, and it was open to any citizen to arrest an offender;

• the unpaid, part-time constable had a special duty assisted by the watchman;

• hue and cry was to be raised to apprehend offenders;

• penalties were imposed against those who did not comply with the compulsory pursuit of criminals;

• everyone was required to keep arms for preserving peace and apprehending criminals;

• town gates were closed between sunset and sunrise and strangers not allowed to enter;

• the constable had a duty to present the offender at the court leet.